A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Orleans vs. Charlottesville for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit New Orleans or Charlottesville?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between New Orleans and Charlottesville can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a festive, vibrant, and energetic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and nightlife. See New Orleans travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a young, collegiate, and southern university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

New Orleans and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Charlottesville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Orleans. Although New Orleans and Charlottesville are popular destinations, New Orleans has more sights and attractions for tourists. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. New Orleans is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charlottesville and New Orleans. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Orleans or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville is a university town with good options for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Charlottesville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in New Orleans or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Orleans is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through New Orleans, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

New Orleans is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville Better for Music?

New Orleans is terrific for its live music scene. However, Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in New Orleans. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a great city for its old town. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a university town with good options for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Charlottesville. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Charlottesville?

New Orleans is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a university town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Charlottesville is a university town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly university town. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Both New Orleans and Charlottesville are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

New Orleans is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Charlottesville is a very popular university town for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both New Orleans and Charlottesville.

Public transit is mostly limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is New Orleans or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is New Orleans Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Charlottesville. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Charlottesville than New Orleans. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Charlottesville, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in New Orleans than Charlottesville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New Orleans that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Orleans than Charlottesville if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in New Orleans.

One day in New Orleans or Charlottesville?

The festive destination of New Orleans offers live music and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in New Orleans or Charlottesville?

The city of New Orleans offers food and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This university town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in New Orleans or Charlottesville?

New Orleans is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Because Charlottesville is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in New Orleans or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Orleans and Charlottesville, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Charlottesville.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New Orleans Expensive? and Is Charlottesville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Charlottesville?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Charlottesville, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit New Orleans or Charlottesville?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit New Orleans or Charlottesville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Charlottesville. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, New Orleans is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Orleans in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Charlottesville. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 69°F (21°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun.

New Orleans usually gets less rain in October than Charlottesville. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine during these months.

Charlottesville can be very cold during winter. New Orleans is much warmer than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and New Orleans during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, New Orleans is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Orleans in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the spring, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Charlottesville. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and New Orleans